This match was not only memorable for the fact that Christian Brothers College, Cork made history at Musgrave Park yesterday but also for the impressive manner in which they accomplished their second four-in-a-row, the only college to do so in the Munster Schools' Senior Cup.
One would not have given tuppence for their chances when trailing 15-3 one minute after the interval. As CBC Cork huddled beneath the posts, a remarkable revival was spawned. Outhalf Conor Quaid's long, floated pass had been cleverly intercepted by Rockwell centre Brendan Mackey who raced 40 metres to score under the posts.
Outhalf Alan Earley converted and CBC's domination of the senior cup over the past three years was ebbing away in this their fourth final in succession. Rockwell's excellent number eight Denis Leamy was enjoying the influence his opponents feared, whether in attack, defence, line kicking or place-kicking: the latter aspect the only area in which he faltered.
CBC Cork had lost number eight Frank Cogan before the kick-off through injury and their full back Simon O'Mahony was stretchered off after 11 minutes. When they lost captain and centre Kevin Lucey with a leg problem on 45 minutes, it appeared the final setback. In mitigation their outstanding openside flanker Cian Duane had just scored the first of his two tries but they still trailed 15-8 and were further handicapped when Earley dropped a fine goal to nudge Rockwell further ahead.
However the winners increased the tempo and drove with great purpose and effect through Darren Keane, Shane O'Connor and Paddy Quinlan in particular. It stopped their opponents from fanning out and allowed the CBC Cork backs greater latitude. Duane's second try on 58 minutes edged them closer and was a fitting reward for some excellent passages of continuity, over which scrumhalf Frank Murphy presided.
The force of CBC's renaissance was irresistible and they sustained the momentum. Another sweeping movement through several phases culminated in a try from left wing Mark Canning which outhalf Conor Quaid converted to put them 20-18 ahead with six minutes remaining. Colin Murphy's unconverted injury-time try was an appropriate embellishment to a stunning second half.
Rockwell will reflect on a couple of missed opportunities in an excellent first half performance in which their superior teamwork and greater fluency stretched CBC repeatedly. Leamy inspired by example, full back Diarmuid O'Riordan and props James Clifford and Karl Sutcliffe were no less effective.
Scrumhalf Gerry Purcell consistently tested the fringe defence and centre Mackey was a powerful ball carrier. Rockwell's ability to disrupt the opposing lineout prompted several frantic scrambles close to Christians's line. Tries from Leamy and Mackey and a drop goal and conversion from Earley forged that 15-3 advantage.
Scoring sequence: 11 mins: Quaid penalty, 30; 21: Leamy try, 3-5; 40: Earley drop goal, 3-8. Half-time: 3-8. 41: Mackey try, Earley conversion, 3-15; 44: Duane try, 8-15; 56: Earley drop goal, 818; 58: Duane try, 13-18; 64: Canning try, Quaid conversion, 20-18; 71: C Murphy try, 25-18.
CBC CORK: S O'Mahony; C Murphy, J Cullen, K Lucey (capt), M Canning; C Quaid, F Murphy; S Purcell, M Nagle, P Quinlan; K Coughlan, S O'Connor; D Keane, T Creedon, C Duane. Replacements: S Meany for O'Mahony 11 mins; P Murphy for Lucey 45 mins; E Murphy for Purcell 60 mins; M Frahill for Keane 65 mins.
ROCKWELL COLLEGE: D O'Riordan; C McNaughton, B Mackey, S Stapleton, M Doyle; A Earley, G Purcell; J Clifford, J O'Donnell, K Sutcliffe (capt); E Macken, P Ryan; B O'Connor, D Leamy, T Fennessy. Replacements: F Quinlan for Fennessy 65 mins; J Hurley for Doyle 66 mins.
Referee: B Smith (Munster).
